Sarita Lynn: Series

Lipstick Choices | Travel Summer Makeup

Friday, April 04, 2014

MAC Russian Red / MAC Peach Blossom / MAC Full Fuchsia / NYX Haute Melon

Although I'm not much of a bold lip kinda girl, I do like to be prepared for anything. You know, in case I decide to man up, or rather, woman up (dry, I know) and leave the house with a bright and colourful pout. Joking aside, I like to have a lot of options available to me because sometimes I am quite the fickle person when it comes to makeup. When travelling, I will generally take three to four lipsticks with me, a red, a nude and an in-between. And on the odd, or rather, most occasions, I will take two in-betweens.

The Red

My go-to red is MAC Russian Red. It has a matte formula but I find the matte lipsticks from MAC are actually very creamy and moisturising. They also have incredible lasting power. I love this particular red because it was in fact one of the first MAC lipsticks I bought. And because of this I am pretty loyal to it, besides if you've read this post you will know I am a total MAC whore. Sorry not sorry.

The Nude

Now when I say nude lip, I don't mean the colour that matches your foundation and makes it look like you don't have lips. I mean a nude/natural lip, a my lips but better colour. For me, this would have to be, yes another MAC lipstick and it is Peach Blossom, with a cremesheen finish. I particularly love MAC's cremesheens for every day wear as they are just so moisturising. This particular shade is described as a frosted cool nude and has fast become one of my favourites. It suits my olive complexion perfectly and yet I have a feeling it would definitely suit girls both lighter and slightly darker than me as well. I have plenty of other nude lip options from MAC and other brands but this is definitely my number one.

The In-Between #1

The "in-betweens" leave such a broad spectrum of colours to try that I could go on and on about different shades. However I will narrow it down to my two favourites of the moment. Numero uno = MAC's Full Fuchsia. This lipstick is so pretty and is described as a bright, warm pink from MAC's Amplified Creme collection. I find this shade perfect for all of the times, it's not too dark or bright for the day and not too light for the night (rhyme not purposefully included). This is probably one of my second most used "bold" lip colours as I actually feel really comfortable in it. It's not a shade I hear people raving about very often but I would definitely recommend it to those who don't already have Girl About Town.

The In-Between #2

My second choice would have to be a coral shade, I mean, I've already covered the purpley pinks, reds and nudes. There is literally nothing left but the oranges, and because I'm not an orange kinda girl, coral it is. My pick for a coral lip is actually not from MAC, sure I've got coral shades from them but they're either too much something for me to think they're perfect. No, my pick for this in-between is in fact from NYX and is in the shade Haute Melon. I find this lipstick a mix between MAC's Ravishing and Costa Chic minus the frost. It's creamy and the perfect shade, for me at least. As you can see I'm not a total MAC obsessor as I would have you believe.

What are your go-to lipsticks? Tried any of mine?

Eyeshadow Palettes | Summer Travel Makeup

Monday, March 17, 2014

If you've watched any of my Youtube videos you'll notice I'm very much into eye makeup. I find I'm much more confident with wearing more around my eyes than lips. Reason: I like eating food a lot, so why wear a lipstick that will come off while doing it. So when I buy eyeshadow palettes, or pack my makeup bag, I like to choose ones that will offer me the most variety in achieving looks, while also being suitable for both day and night.

please excuse the demented case, it melted in the sun :(

MUA Undressed Palette

This drugstore palette has been used mostly on a day-to-day basis. The colours include a variety of shimmers and mattes, as well as pinks, browns and golds - my favourite colours to work with. I purchased mine from the MUA website when they had a free shipping deal on and kind of went crazy spending money. Money well spent however. This product is by far an excellent choice if you're on a budget as it retails for £4, about NZ $8. On top of that the colours are extremely pigmented, the shimmers even more so. So if you're just starting to try out eye makeup take a look at the MUA website as they have a great variety of affordable palettes to choose from.

MAC 15-pan Palette

As for my girls who are lovers of high-end products, why not try out a MAC "make-your-own" palette. I personally love these as MAC have every colour under the sun. At present I haven't filled mine up yet but some of my favourite go-to colours are in my MAC palette. However, if you're unsure about what shades will suit, or are just starting out then perhaps go for one of their duo shadows. I have the MAC duo shadow in This or That and that is another staple I take wherever I go. So don't worry if you're just beginning in makeup, going higher-end without that much knowledge is still possible without wasting hundreds of dollars.

What palette would you choose? Drugstore or high-end?

Powders | Summer Travel Makeup

Monday, March 10, 2014

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Light Medium / Sleek Contour Kit Medium / MAC Mineralize Blush Warm Soul

When deciding what to take on holiday I consider all possibilities. I'm the type of person who overpacks... Everything. I always take too many clothes, too many shoes and too much makeup. I blame it on the fact that I don't want to be unprepared for anything that might happen. You never know what you might need - seriously. However, in the event that you aren't a complete nut like myself, I've come up with a fail proof way of packing some essentials that would usually take up the majority of my makeup bag, and cut everything down to size. If only I could follow my own advice.

I'll share a secret with you, I don't like setting my face with powder because I have disgustingly dry skin. However, I know how far setting your foundation goes when embarking on a night out. I will admit I make myself set my face with the powder like the one above. I use MAC's Mineralize Skinfinish because it is so light I don't even feel it which means its the best one for making me as least dry as possible. Making sense still? Hopefully.

As for blush I like to pick one that I know looks natural, goes well with most makeup looks I might do and one that will last daily. For me, that is the MAC Mineralize Blush in Warm Soul. It is the perfect blend of shimmer and coral-ly pink and looks fantastic on my slightly pale to tan olive skin tone. I've heard it suits all skin types and from using this on friends I can safely say there is truth to that statement.

And finally, contour and highlight. When travelling I try to take products that are compact and carry "more for less" packaging. For me this would be my Sleek Contour Kit. Not only are Sleek products so incredibly pigmented but the packaging is exactly what they're they claim to be - sleek. The fact they include a contour and highlight colour in this kit is bloody well fantastic. I am able to take one product that actually holds two of my most favoured products.

What would you take on a summer vacation? Tried any of my suggestions?

Foundation Favourites | Summer Travel Makeup

Thursday, February 27, 2014

I don't own a particularly large number of foundations but there is one thing they all have in common. A dewy finish. That is an absolute must for me - I hate to look matte, it looks flat and turns flaky with my skin. I have horrendously dry skin - the bane of my existence. I am constantly on the lookout for foundations that will counteract and make me look like an oil slick. Attractive, I know.

This past summer I have been loving the above foundations simply because they are all supposed to be incredibly compatible to people with dry skin. Can I get a hell yeah?

MAC Face & Body Foundation

I've noticed most people dislike the range of foundations offered by MAC. I love them.

Just a little back story - I was a bit of a MAC whore in high school, simply because they were more available to me and the workers there were incredibly helpful. I knew nowhere near as much about cosmetics then as I do now - which is why I found their stores so much more helpful. Back on track.

The F&B foundation provides sheer coverage which I love in the summer. It's water based and rarely comes off - I've been swimming before and friends have been like, 'How is your makeup still on?!' Regardless of its seemingly underwater invincibility, I find it refreshing and light enough to wear during the summer months when all I seem to do is sweat like a crazy person. It lasts through the hot weather and is light enough to feel like there is nothing there. Overall a great foundation. Note: its not all that great at hiding pesky little blemishes. Or big ones.

MAC Studio Sculpt

I told you I was a MAC whore. My SS foundation is rarely used to be honest. It's more medium to full coverage and doesn't have flashback as much as other foundations I own. These are pretty much the reasons why this is included. I use it when I want to go all out with my makeup i.e. going out on the town with the girls or the boyfriend. It doesn't dry out my skin at all and lasts all night even without a primer.

L'Oreal Lumi Magique

As for drugstore, these are my most used. My Lumi Magique is perfect for a dewy finish and is great when I have the odd blemish. Its medium to full coverage if you layer and blend, and lasts throughout the day. Because of its long lasting "power" its perfect for everyday use. I used this almost every day I wore makeup in the summer.

Bourjois Healthy Mix

I discovered this foundation in 2012 and it has since been one of my all time favourites. It's cheaper than the others I've mentioned but still does just as good a job if not better. Its medium coverage and could be full by building it up. It doesn't dry out my skin and blends perfectly. Overall, the perfect foundation for my skin type.

So those are the foundations I used throughout the past summer of 2013/2014. The next post in this series will be about setting powders, blush, contour and highlight picks for travelling so stay tuned if you're interested in seeing that.

Have you tried any of my faves above? What would be your summer picks?